Free spay/neuter surgery for outdoor cats in the 55303 and 55304 zip codes

Animal Humane Society currently operates a targeted Trap-Neuter-Return program in the 55303 and 55304 zip codes. Our staff and volunteers work with community members and feral cat colony caretakers to humanely trap cats, transport them for surgery, ear-tipping, and vaccination, and return them to the colony following treatment.

Back in their outdoor home, these cats will not reproduce. Trap-Neuter-Return improves their lives and yours. It is effective and humane. There is no cost to participate.

To help with this effort or identify stray or feral cats for sterilization, please contact Jo Daney at 763-432-4848 or jdaney@animalhumanesociety.org.

Pet services

Animal Humane Society is committed to supporting you throughout the life of your pet with socialization and play group opportunities, training classes, pet boarding, a pet behavior helpline, and events for you and your pet.

Sheltering outdoor dogs

Dogs are highly social animals, and the Animal Humane Society hopes that all dogs and their people will achieve that special closeness that comes from sharing their home and many hours together. But we recognize that there are some situations... like a family member with allergies... where some families choose to keep an "outdoor dog." If so, Minnesota Law is quite specific about how their pet must be shelterd. Outdoor dog shelter standards are set by Minnesota Statute 343.40, Subdivision 2 which says:

Building Specifications: The shelter shall include a moisture-proof and wind-proof structure of suitable size to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat. It shall be made of durable materials with a solid floor raised at least two inches from the ground and with the entrance covered by a flexible wind proof material or a self-closing swinging door. The structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding materials consisting of hay, straw, cedar shavings, blankets or the equivalent, to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness and promote retention of body heat.

Doghouse plans

The shelter illustrated below can be built fairly inexpensively using materials that are readily available from most lumber yards. Dog houses can be dropped off at our Golden Valley location. Please contact Brianna (email or 763-432-4847) to coordinate a good time to drop off your completed dog house for donation.

Shows pet restrictions right next to the apartment so you can easily see what size dogs they accept. The site also gives access to pet-friendly roommates if you are looking to rent or have a room for rent.

Among the largest rental and real estate networks on the web. After searching by address, neighborhood, city, or zip, click the More down arrow and check "Pets Allowed" in the Show only category. Click Apply to filter your search results.

Property owners and managers

There can be benefits to establishing pet-friendly guidelines for your property. There are many responsible, clean, and respectful renters looking for pet-friendly housing. Because they must search harder for a place to live, pet caregivers are more likely to stay put. Lower vacancy rates mean lower costs and fewer headaches for you.

Do you have a letter of recommendation and current records from your veterinarian stating that your pet is in good health and up-to-date on its vaccinations?

Where is your pet housed during the day? At night?

Has your pet ever displayed aggressive tendencies towards people or other pets?

Do you have a written reference for your pet from your current property owner/manager?

Have there been any complaints about your pet at your current address? How did you resolve them?

Did your pet cause any damage at your current address? If so, did you reimburse your property owner/manager for the damage?

Does your pet have any medical or behavioral problems? If so, what treatment or training is it receiving?

May I contact your current property owner/manager to further discuss your pet?

Would you object to my visiting you and your pet after you move in to see how your pet is adjusting?

Who will care for your pet when you are on vacation or away on business?

Has your pet been spayed or neutered?

Is your pet licensed?

Does your pet wear identification?

For people with cats

Does your cat go outside?

Does your cat use the litterbox that you provide?

For people with dogs

Do you keep your dog on a leash when you go for walks?

Have you and your dog completed any training classes? If so, which ones?

Do you kennel or crate your dog?

Do you always make a point of immediately cleaning up after your dog?

Is your dog housetrained?

How much time does your dog spend alone each day?

How often do you exercise your dog?

* Information provided by other organizations, including links to external websites, does not constitute endorsement by Animal Humane Society of the opinions, information, products or services of that organization

Renting successfully with pets

Offer your new landlord the opportunity to visit you after you've moved in so they can meet your pet and see how well you keep your current rental unit.

Try to take a few days off when you move into a new place to help your pet adjust. It's new for your pet too, and sometimes even the most quiet and calm pets will get anxious in new surroundings and make excessive noise, disturbing the neighbors. It often helps if you can be there to help your pet adjust to the new home.

Be a good neighbor. Make sure your pets don't disturb your neighbors, whether it's with noise, wandering loose, or unsightly messes. Remember that your landlord has to deal with complaints and won't be happy if it keeps happening!

Be diligent about addressing any concerns your landlord may have. If an issue arises about your pet, make sure you understand what the problem is and take immediate steps to address it. For example, your dog may bark excessively when you first move in as a result of being unsure of the new surroundings. Try another temporary solution (put your dog in a comfy covered crate with bedding, toys, and water; take your dog to a doggy daycare; take a few days off to help your dog adjust...)

Moving successfully with Pets

Make sure your pet is micro-chipped and is wearing proper identification like collars and tags.

Keep your pet's documentation with you and in a safe place. This includes current vaccination records as well as documentation on tattoo numbers, microchip numbers, license numbers, spay/neuter certificate, phone number for your current vet, and a recent photo of your pet.

Conducting a successful housing search

Search for pet-friendly housing online

Please... if you cannot immediately find housing that accepts pets, DO NOT abandon your pet in your old rental unit in the hopes that someone else will find and care for them, or in the hopes that you'll be able to "come back" later and get them. Pets depend on us for their care.

Landlords want to protect their investment. As a pet owner, you want to show a prospective landlord that you are a responsible tenant and a responsible pet owner. You want to convince the landlord that it would be a good thing to have you as a tenant! Here are a few things to consider when renting with pets:

Give yourself enough time. No one likes moving, much less finding rental housing that accepts pets. If possible, start your search at least six weeks before you plan to move.

Understand why many housing communities reject pets. Many landlords, housing managers, and property owners have had bad experiences with irresponsible pet guardians who didn't safely confine their animals or pick up their feces, snuck pets in, or left ruined carpets and drapes when they moved out. They may be worried about complaints from neighbors about barking dogs and wonder how they are going to effectively deal with pet owners if problems arise. That's why people looking for an apartment, house, or condominium to rent must be able to sell themselves as responsible pet owners who are committed to providing responsible pet care and being responsible neighbors.

Focus on places that allow most pets. Recognize that it may be futile to find suitable housing for yourself and your pet in a large rental community with a no-pets policy. You're more likely to be successful if you focus on places that allow most pets, allow certain pets (for example, cats or dogs weighing less than 20 pounds), or that don't say, "Sorry, no pets." Individual home and condominium owners may be easiest to persuade. Ideally, look for a community with appropriate pet-keeping guidelines that specify resident obligations. That's the kind of place that's ideal for pet owners because you'll know that other pet caregivers there also are committed to being responsible residents.

Create a pet resume. Gather proof that you're responsible.The more documentation you can provide showing you are a responsible pet guardian, the more appealing you will be to your future landlord. A resume for your pet can help show a landlord that you are a responsible pet guardian. Include helpful information like obedience and socialization classes, any volunteer work your pet might have done (like pet-assisted therapy work), references from veterinarians, dog trainers, pet sitters, neighbors, previous landlords, etc. You could also include a copy of your pet's vaccination records to show that your pet is healthy and up-to-date on vaccines. It also helps to show that your pet is spayed or neutered. Finally, include a short write-up about you as a pet guardian.

Be prepared with temporary housing plans. You might not be able to find pet-friendly housing right away so have a backup plan in place. Ask a good friend or a family member if they would be willing to care for your pet temporarily until you can find rental housing that allows pets. If you can't bear the thought of being away from your pet, then stay at short-term pet-friendly accommodations like hotels or even a B&B or a cottage.

Show an interest in cleanliness. Let the landlord, manager, or condominium board know that you share any concerns about cleanliness. Point out that your pet is housetrained or litter-box trained. Emphasize that you always clean up after your dog outdoors and that you always properly dispose of your pet's waste.

Promote yourself.Responsible pet owners make excellent residents. Because they must search harder for a place to live, pet caregivers are more likely to stay put. Lower vacancy rates mean lower costs and fewer headaches for landlords and real estate agents.

Promote your pet.Offer to bring your pet to meet the owner or property manager, or invite the landlord to visit you and your pet in your current home. A freshly groomed, well-behaved pet will speak volumes. Emphasize that the same pride you take in caring for your pet extends to taking care of your home. Many landlords are concerned about fleas, so be sure to let your prospective landlord know that you maintain an active flea-control program for your pet and home. Provide written proof that your pet is spayed or neutered and is, therefore, healthier, calmer, and less likely to be a nuisance.

Make health and safety a priority. Make it clear to the landlord, manager, or condominium board that you keep your cat inside and your dog under control at all times and that you understand the health and safety benefits of doing so.

Be willing to pay a little extra.Tell your prospective landlord or resident manager that you are willing to pay an extra security deposit to cover any damages your pet might make to the property. Be sure to discuss deposits and monthly pet-related fees in advance. And have these fees put into writing, too. Request a copy of any house rules pertaining to pets. Let the landlord know that you will abide by the rules set for the broader community and respect the concerns of residents who do not own pets.

Get it in writing.Once you have been given permission by a landlord, manager, or condominium committee to have a pet, be sure to get it in writing. Sign a pet addendum to your rental agreement. Comprehensive agreements protect people, property, and the pets themselves. If your lease has a no-pets clause, verbal approval won't be enough. The no-pets clause should be removed from the lease (or crossed out and initialed) before you sign it. Be sure it has been removed from or crossed out on your landlord's copy, too.

Get permission for all types of pets, not just dogs. Sometimes tenants assume that indoor cats or caged pets will automatically be okay because no one else ever sees them. Trouble (and heartache) arises when they're found to have pets without permission. There are many landlords that place restrictions on what types of pets you can have. Even birds are a touchy issue because their singing, chirping, and sometimes even talking can be loud and disruptive to other residents of the building.

Be honest.Don't try to sneak your pet in to any rental property. If you do so, you may be subject to possible eviction or other legal action.

* Information provided by other organizations, including links to external websites, does not constitute endorsement by Animal Humane Society of the opinions, information, products or services of that organization

Managing pet allergies

If someone in your home has been diagnosed with allergies by an allergist, carefully consider if you can live with or manage the symptoms. Children may outgrow pet allergies while others are able to manage their symptoms and keep their pet in their home.